Atlanta Spotlight: White Oak

White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails (WOKC) is a notable restaurant located in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia, known for its focus on modern Southern cuisine with European influences.¹

What Makes It Unique

White Oak is celebrated for its concept of Cuisine du Sud—a culinary approach that merges the soulful comfort of the American South with the coastal flavors and finesse of Southern Europe (France, Italy, and Spain).²

Key features that make it unique:

• Barrel Bar: A 360-degree bar crafted of Georgia marble and white oak.³ It boasts an extensive collection of over 70 whiskeys and bourbons, earning it recognition as a top Whiskey Bar in Georgia (Thrillist) and a Great Bourbon Bar of America (Bourbon Society).⁴

   

• Award-Winning Wine Program: The restaurant has a sophisticated wine bar with a list that has received multiple Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence.⁵

   

• Atmosphere and Design: The decor is described as chic and contemporary with a rustic twist.⁶ It features reclaimed pine, newly planed white oak, Georgia marble, and custom lighting, including signature chandeliers made of authentic sugar maple from the Jack Daniel’s Distillery.⁷

   

• Cuisine Philosophy: The kitchen aims to reflect the dynamic contradictions of Southern life—merging contemporary with traditional, simple with complex, and rural with metropolitan—resulting in dishes that are both simple and familiar, yet precisely prepared.⁸

   

History

• Establishment: White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails opened in July 2012 in the heart of Downtown Atlanta.⁹

   

• Location History: It took over a prominent corner space at 270 Peachtree Street NW that was previously occupied by The Official Allstar Café (part of the Planet Hollywood chain in the late 1990s).¹⁰

   

• Ownership: It is the third restaurant of the Brewed to Serve Restaurant Group Inc., owned by Cindy and Alan LeBlanc, who also established Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery in 1998.¹¹ The restaurant’s values of humility and service are inspired by Rochelle Green, a family member from McKenzie, Alabama.¹²

   

• Evolution: Initially opened with a focus on Southern food using French techniques, White Oak has evolved towards a European restaurant with a Southern spirit, reflecting Atlanta’s growth as an international city.¹³

   

Highlight Menu Items

While the menu is seasonal and reflective of its “Cuisine du Sud” focus, it is grounded in Southern staples elevated by innovation.¹⁴ Highlighted items often include:

• Seafood: Such as Gulf shrimp and snapper.¹⁵

   

• Southern Classics: Creamy polenta (grits).¹⁶

   

• Wood-Grilled Meats: Like wood-grilled ribeye.¹⁷

   

• Housemade Pasta.¹⁸

   

• Desserts: Beignets.¹⁹

   

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback often praises the restaurant for its genuine hospitality, the refined yet approachable atmosphere, and the quality of its food and drinks.²⁰ The Barrel Bar and its whiskey/bourbon selection are consistently high points, as is the celebrated wine program.²¹ Its prime location in the downtown area makes it popular among business professionals, international travelers, and local residents.²²

Significant Events

White Oak is a sought-after venue for private events, corporate functions, and weddings, offering multiple unique dining spaces like the Barrel Bar, Chapter & Verse, and the Distillery Room.²³

• Anniversary Celebrations: The restaurant holds celebrations for its anniversaries, such as the 13th Anniversary celebration in August 2025.²⁴

   

• Wine Dinners: They host regular wine dinners, often featuring collaborations with prominent producers (e.g., Vignobles Lorgeril).²⁵

   

• Corporate Hospitality Hub: White Oak is promoting itself as an exclusive corporate headquarters and hospitality venue for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Atlanta, leveraging its prime downtown location near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.²⁶

   

• Opening: The quiet but highly anticipated opening in July 2012 was a significant event for the Downtown Atlanta dining scene, establishing a new destination restaurant.²⁷

   

• Renovation: A recent multi-million-dollar renovation refreshed the space and enhanced features like the Barrel Bar and floor-to-ceiling windows.

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